BCP Portfolio Company Backyard Discovery Acquires Classic Manor

CARROLLTON, Ga., September 23, 2011

Baird Capital Partners (BCP), the U.S.-based buyout fund of Baird Private Equity, announced today that its portfolio company Backyard Discovery has acquired Classic Manor (Classic), a market share leader in the wooden shed industry. The acquisition was completed through Backyard’s subsidiary SHEDS USA, and the terms of the deal were not disclosed. Based in Carrollton, Ga., Classic distributes, installs and services wooden and metal sheds, garages, pergolas and gazebos across the Southeastern United States.

“This partnership with Classic Manor is an excellent fit on many levels,” said Ron Scripsick, CEO of Backyard Discovery. “It allows us to establish a strong Southeast footprint and further expand our shed platform, as well as leverage Classic’s strong customer relationships at The Home Depot. We are excited about the tremendous value this addition brings to our business.”

Backyard Discovery was established in 2007 through the BCP-backed merger of Backyard Adventures and Leisure Time Products, two longtime leading outdoor wooden playset providers. In 2010, Backyard Discovery acquired SHEDS USA to become a leader in the wooden sheds category, thus positioning the combined entity as the global leader in the wooden backyard products industry. Based in Pittsburg, Kansas, Backyard Discovery is one of the world’s leading producers of wooden residential outdoor play sets, sheds and other backyard products under the following brand names: Create-N-Adventure™, Adventure Playsets™, Backyard Adventure™, Leisure Time Products™, Backyard Builders™ and SHEDS USA. Backyard Discovery products are sold through nationwide retailers including Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Toys-R-Us, BJ’s, Home Depot and through independent dealers across the country.

About Baird Capital PartnersBaird Capital Partners, the U.S.-based buyout fund of Baird Private Equity, invests in lower middle-market companies in the business services, manufactured products and healthcare sectors. Established in 1989, Baird Capital Partners leverages its deep sector knowledge, experienced investment team and extensive operating resources to drive value in its portfolio companies. Baird Capital Partners is supported by operating resources in China (Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai) and India (Bangalore) focused on facilitating and executing Asia sourcing, manufacturing and distribution strategies for Baird Capital Partners’ portfolio companies. Baird Private Equity, the global private equity group of Robert W. Baird & Co. (Baird), makes venture capital, growth equity and buyout investments in smaller, high potential companies in the United States through Baird Venture Partners and Baird Capital Partners, in China through Baird Capital Partners Asia, and in Europe through Baird Capital Partners Europe. Baird Private Equity has a global team of investment and operations professionals across the United States, Europe and Asia, including a team of operating professionals in Asia. Baird Private Equity and its affiliates have raised and managed over $2.8 billion in capital and invested in more than 250 companies since the 1980s. For more information, please visit bairdcapitalpartners.com.